Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGYQCO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGYQCO’, particularly characterized by having white flowers with greenish-white lips and a concave shape, strong curvature of the lateral lobe, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGYQCO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALGYQCO’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive white flowers with greenish-white lips, suitable for pottedplant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGYQCO’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in December 2007 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-1849’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in June 2012. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 26, 2018, by Applicant who obtained thesubject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGYQCO’ has notbeen made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to theeffective filing date of this application with the exception of sales ordisclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date ofthis claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGYQCO’ directlyfrom the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALGYQCO’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) White flowers with greenish-white lips;    -   2) Concave flower shape; and    -   3) Strong curvature of the lateral lobe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms andfoliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs weretaken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-oldplants in February 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of‘PHALGYQCO’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGYQCO’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGYQCO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALGYQCO’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in February 2020 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALGYQCO’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1849’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B            and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having            yellow-green (RHS 144C) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual            propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24            weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are            finished after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 49.0 cm to 54.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 32.0 cm to 34.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm            to 20.0 cm. Width: 8.0 cm to 9.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: Toward the apex. Shape: Obovate.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Unequal obtuse. Leaf            blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal            position): Between 20 degrees and 40 degrees. Leaf margin:            Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.            Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:            Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS            146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—9 to 12.        -   Length.—49.0 cm to 54.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of yellow-green (RHS 146C) and brown (RHS N199B).        -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 160.0 mm to            210.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 92.0 mm to 97.0 mm. Diameter: 100.0 mm to            105.0 mm. Depth of lip: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 22 to 26 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Concave.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.            Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:            Greenish-yellow (RHS 145B to 145C) with a touch of diluting            purplish-red (RHS N77D).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded to slightly emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Entire.            Length (from base to tip): 48.0 mm to 50.0 mm. Width: 58.0            mm to 60.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal:            Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:            Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:            Absent. Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper            surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the petals            (upper surface): None. Density of netting of the petals            (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface):            None.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 50.0 mm to            52.0 mm. Width: 35.0 mm to 37.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Very light purple (RHS 76B). Number of            spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper            surface): None. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 52.0 mm to            54.0 mm. Width: 32.0 mm to 34.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: A hint of light yellow-green (RHS 145C)            at the base. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: A hint of light yellow-green (RHS 145D) at the            base and light purple middle vein (RHS 76A) toward the tip.            Number of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper            surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral            sepals (upper surface): None. Density of netting of the            lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): None.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 19.0            mm to 21.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C) with            yellow tips (RHS 8A). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Entire. Length: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm            to 16.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Greenish-yellow (RHS 151B)            at one margin toward the base; white (RHS NN155C) toward the            other margin. Lower surface: Greenish (RHS 151B) on one            margin toward the base and white (RHS NN155C) toward the            other margin. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral            lobe: Few. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            RHS N170B and 178B. Density of netting of the lateral lobe:            None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0            mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Orange-brown (RHS N170A) at the base;            greenish-yellow wings (RHS 151C) and white (RHS NN155C)            toward whiskers. Lower surface: Diluting greenish-yellow            wings (RHS 151C); white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Number            of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of            spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Density of            netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting:            None. Bump and ridge: Present.        -   Callus.—Average size: Large. Height: 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm.            Length: 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm. Width: 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 7B) and light greenish-yellow (RHS 4C) on sides;            dotted RHS N170A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to            7.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 1.1 mm to 1.3 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 25A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 3.0            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 37.0 mm to 39.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to            4.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Dark red (RHS 187A) at the            base; light yellow-green (RHS 145B) with a hint of very            light purple (RHS 76B) toward the flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female parent plant of ‘PHALGYQCO’, cultivar ‘01-1849’ (unpatented),is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot bemade.

‘PHALGYQCO’ differs from male parent plant ‘21232-01’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALGYQCO’ has white whiskers with yellow tips and strongcurvature of the lateral lobe, whereas ‘21232-01’ has white whiskers andweak curvature of the lateral lobe. Additionally, ‘PHALGYQCO’ has longerwhiskers than ‘21232-01’.

‘PHALGYQCO’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALGYQCO’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHALGYQCO’ has obovate leaves and white whiskerswith yellow tips, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has oblong leaves andgreenish-yellow whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGYQCO’ has a shorterinflorescence than ‘PHALFOWIC’.

‘PHALGYQCO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that‘PHALGYQCO’ has flowers with a concave shape, whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ hasflowers with a convex to flat shape. Additionally, ‘PHALGYQCO’ hassmaller flowers, shorter internodes, and shorter whiskers than‘PHALFUBNE’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALGYQCO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.